FTL2026 - NEW MATCH POINT CALCULATION BREAKDOWN - PART 3 (KSI POINTS)

Lets continue the process of breaking down the New Match Point Calculation for the FTL2026 season, and provide a rationale for the necessary changes. Today, we'll address the KSI (Key Success Indicator) Points portion of the calculation 

OLD CALCULATION:

KSI Points had a Maximum of 13.5 points and a Minimum of 0.0 points.  The calculation was as follows:

4+ Games Won = 1 X # of times a player achieved this is any given set

Tiebreak Won = 0.5 X # of times a player achieved this is any given set

Sets Won = 1 X # of times a player achieved this is any given set

Match Won in Straight Sets = 3

Match Won while Losing 1 Set = 2

Match Won while Losing 2 Sets = 1 

NEW CALCULATION:

KSI Points will have a Maximum of 8.0 points and a Minimum of 0.0 points.  The calculation is as follows: 

Game % = 6 X (Games Won/Games Played) - maximum of 4.0 points

•  if either of the following conditions are met, 0.0 points will be awarded for Game %
• Player A Wins a Match in Straight Sets
• Player A wins less than 35% of the games played

Tiebreak Won = 0.5 X # of times a player achieved this is any given set 

Match Won in Straight Sets = 7 

Match Won while losing a Set = 3

Game % Bonus - Broken into 2 Separate Categories - Bo3 and Bo5.  For today, lets focus on the Bo3

• Player wins a match and wins 16 games or more, he will receive a Game % Bonus. 
• Value =  4.0 - the points he received for the Game%
• Player loses the match and wins 14 games or more, he will receive a Game % Bonus.
• Value = Game% Bonus will be 1.0 points

 

RATIONALE:

KSI Points are a simple way to reward a player for their success in a given match.  Sadly, in the previous method there were a couple of sizable issues that felt inappropriate

• the penalty is too severe for a player winning 3 games in a set instead of 4  - especially in a highly competitive match. 
• the entire point of a match is to win, so why is a player awarded with a different amount when they do so?  There has to be a better way to award a player with winning in less sets, no?
• far too many points are available in a Bo5  

Lets take a look at 2 specific scenarios.  

Scenario 1 - In Turin, Alcaraz beats Fritz 6-7, 7-5,6-3

 

According to the Old Calculation, 

Alcaraz would receive 7.0 points (3 X 1.0 + 0 X 0.5 + 2 X 1.0 +  2).   AND

Fritz would receive 3.5 points (2 X 1.0 + 1 X 0.5 + 1 X 1.0 + 0).

 

Meanwhile, at first glance the New Calculation looks a bit complicated, so lets have a better look

 

Alcaraz

6 X (19/34) + 0 X 0.5 + 0.0 + 3.0 + Game% Bonus. (eligible because 19games won > 16 games required)

= 3.4 + 0 + 3.0 + (4.0 - 3.4)

= 7.0

Therefore Alcaraz would receive 7.0 points for the match.  

 

Fritz 

6 X (15/34) + 1 X 0.5 + 0.0 + 0.0 + Game% Bonus. (eligible because 15games won > 14 games required)

= 2.6 + 0.5 + 0.0 + 0.0 + 1.0

= 4.1

Therefore Fritz would receive 4.1 points for the match.

 

Scenario  2 - In the WTA Finals, Anisimova beat Swiatek 6-7,6-4,6-2

 

According to the Old Calculation, 

Anisimova would receive 7.0 points (3 X 1.0 + 0 X 0.5 + 2 X 1.0 +  2)   AND

Swiatek would receive 3.5 points (2 X 1.0 + 1 X 0.5 + 1 X 1.0 + 0).

 

Meanwhile, lets look at the math for the New Calculation.

 

Anisimova

6 X (18/31) + 0 X 0.5 + 0.0 + 3.0 + Game% Bonus. (eligible because 18games won > 16 games required)

= 3.5 + 0 + 3.0 + (4.0 - 3.5)

= 7.0

Therefore Anisimova would receive 7.0 points for the match.  

 

Swiatek

6 X (13/31) + 1 X 0.5 + 0.0 + 0.0 + Game% Bonus. (ineligible because 13games won < 14 games required)

= 2.5 + 0.5 + 0.0 + 0.0 + 0.0

= 3.0

Therefore Swiatek would receive 3.0 points for the match.